Sam Burtch was a breakout player in the Nebraska offense in 2013 and was poised for a big role in the NU receiver corps in 2014. However, a pair of injuries kept Burtch off the field in 2014. Burtch returned to the team in the spring of 2015, but did not play his senior season.

Burtch provided a big target in the Husker passing game at 6-3 and 205. Burtch was also a standout off the field, twice earning academic All-Big Ten honors. Burtch earned his degree in communication studies in December of 2015.

2014 (Senior)Burtch returned from injury in the spring of 2015 and participated in fall camp. However, he left the team in early September.

2014 (Junior)Burtch missed the year with multiple injuries, the final one being a season-ending knee injury in September.

2013 (Sophomore)Burtch played in all 13 games, making starts against Michigan State and Penn State. He finished with 12 receptions for 147 yards and three touchdowns. He was at his best late in the season, making 10 of his 12 catches in the final six games.

Burtch’s first two catches resulted in touchdowns, a 26-yarder against Southern Miss and a 16-yard catch vs. South Dakota State. Burtch caught three passes for 20 yards against Northwestern, including two on the final drive to help set up NU’s Hail Mary. He caught five passes for 83 yards, including a career-long 32-yard touchdown against Michigan State.

2012 (Redshirt Freshman)Burtch played in four games as a reserve receiver, appearing in Nebraska’s wins over Southern Miss, Arkansas State, Idaho State and Minnesota. He did not have a reception.

2011 (Redshirt)Burtch walked on and redshirted in his first season in 2011.

Before Nebraska (Elmwood-Murdock HS)Burtch starred at receiver for Coach Leigh Schmale at Elmwood-Murdock High School. Burtch earned first-team Class C-2 all-state honors from both the Lincoln Journal Star and the Omaha World-Herald in 2010. He caught 44 passes for 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns to help his team to a 9-2 record and a trip to the Class C-2 quarterfinals. Burtch also caught 26 passes and eight touchdowns as a junior. Burtch won the Class C 800 meters at the 2010 Nebraska state track meet and was second in the 400 meters.

PersonalThe son of Tom Burtch and Marie Gregoire, Sam was born on Feb. 19, 1993. He is majoring in communication studies and is a seven-time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll selection. Burtch has been active in the community and is a two-time member of both the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team and the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team.

Burtch was one of the leading forces behind starting the Uplifting Athletes Road Race to benefit pediatric cancer. He also has volunteered his time with the FCA, People’s City Mission, American Education Week, Pilger tornado relief, Husker Hotline and numerous hospital and school outreach events.